Fashola warns MEND
Headlines Jul 16, 2009 By Emma Amaize, Emeka Mamah, George Onah, Samuel Oyadongha, Jimitota Onoyume, Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowopejo
LAGOS - IN his official reaction to Sunday’s bombing of the Atlas Cove Jetty by men of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, warned the militants that the action must never repeat itself as the state was quite ready to respond to “this new security threat appropriately”.

Fashola, briefing newsmen on the development after an emergency meeting of the state Security Council condoled with the families of the officers and men of the Armed Forces who were victims of the attack.


Governor Raji Fashola briefing the newsmen after the Lagos State Security meeting at the State House, Marina, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Shola Oyelese
According to Fashola, the attack raises very new questions about what the agitation in the Niger Delta is all about.
He said that Lagos as the headquarters of the national press has been the medium of agitation and as a melting pot of nationalities; the people of Lagos have protected and hosted even displaced Niger Deltans.

He noted that it was quite unfair to have turned on Lagos, the Governor explained that the State itself has been a victim of years of neglect as a former federal capital which continues to serve as the host community to all ethnic communities and as economic nerve centre of the country.

He said: “Is Lagos not also a victim of years of neglect? Is this an agitation without limits, is a friendly and host State fair game?”

“If this (Atlas Cove Jetty bombing) was a mistake, we expect that it must never repeat itself as we will respond to this new security threat appropriately”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/07/16/fashola-warns-mend/comment-page-1/#comments

shanda:

don't under estimate the guy bros!!! Don't forget US is still manufacturing jetline bombers.

Sam Milla:

just for the sake of saying something as well.

he has to say something. he is the governor.
but i doubt he can do anything.

oyinda.:

yea i agree with him. it was very unfair.
those mend boys sef are creating more enemies for themselves.

desgiezd:

Go ask those armed robbers terrorising Lagos before now and you'll know if he is capable of doing something or not.

desgiezd:

Go ask those armed robbers terrorising Lagos before now and you'll know if he is capable of doing something or not.

ilugunboy:

Every struggle or movement needs to be re-evaluated at critical points and moments. Mend has reached a terminus of decision now. Either it gives negotiations and discussions a chance to bloosom and expose the sincerity or otherwise of government or attract condemnation ans consequently help to drain attention and support for the genuine desire to develop the Niger Delta.

The answer is up to the gun-totting guys and their handlers/sponsors.

nuzo:


Instead of threatening what he cannot conquer, I will advise him to have a talk with them.
Enough of this media talks to assuage Lagosians.

IFELEKE:

You mean he should set aside some billions to assuage some bunch of criminals disguised as militants?
I say No because if they are truly agitating for their people then they should learn to tackle their problems from the source instead of embarking on a wild spree albeit misguided sabotage.

desgiezd:

Nice words delivered intelligently!!

I think MEND has never had it so good, though its still early in the day, but I'll like to give it to Yar Adua's government that it has started well on this reconciliation issue. I pray they are able to conclude it well. Instead of bombing Lagos and attracting more condemnation to themselves, I think they need to handle this more intelligently and win huge concessions from the FG  for all Niger Deltans.

mbulela:

this is no struggle, this is no movement.
this is pure and plain criminality.
the only ideology these rouges are expounding is the ideology of money.
they are just raising the stakes.
don't be fooled.

OneNaija:

The Last time I check the Oil going to Lagos was coming from Niger Delta so they have the right to blow any pipeline producing Oil or Gas. Fu ck Fashola .

OneNaija:

The Last time I check the Oil going to Lagos was coming from Niger Delta so they have the right to blow any pipeline producing Oil or Gas. Fu ck Fashola .

desgiezd:

Go ask those armed robbers terrorising Lagos before now and you'll know if he is capable of doing something or not.

So you want to tell me armed robbers are still not terrorizing Lagosians

OneNaija:

The Last time I check the Oil going to Lagos was coming from Niger Delta so they have the right to blow any pipeline producing Oil or Gas. Fu ck Fashola .

blacksta:

What kind of right is that - if that is the case - i hereby have the right to blow up your house and car cause u r using ND gas and petrol

OneNaija:

Fu ck you

banom:

When Fashola,his Yoruba brothers and their chief conterpart ,the Hausas were busy looting,exploiting,embezling  and maginalising the Niger deltans , it was fine , now MEND simply Bombed something that Niger deltan's money was used  to build, the Shameless Gov Fashola is on press making useless noise and empty threat .

Mend did a highly commendable job, I advice them to move over here and bomb the Fct, Kano , Kaduna, Jos, Borno and Niger state. they should aslo bomb some other places in the west, lagos is not enough and their last week attack was too small.